‘Tis the season for championship titles, winning streaks and Hail Mary moves to secure one last chance at a spot in the playoffs. September marks the end of so many competition seasons with the World Surf League Finals, the World Athletic Championships for track and field and the final tennis major of the year, the US Open. But it’s also smack dab in the middle of beloved fall/winter sports like professional soccer and basketball. What that ultimately means is that September is the time for athletes to go big or risk going home empty handed.

Time is running out for teams like Gotham FC and Indiana Fever to secure their spots in their respective playoff seasons. And you can feel that “now or never” mentality kicking in, whether it’s Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black’s incredible gold medal victory at the pickleball Walgreens Open or Ruth Croft’s unexpected win over perennial favorite Courtney Dauwalter at the 2025 UTMB ultramarathon.

As someone who can barely keep it together no matter who is in the lead, I’m preparing myself for a month of incredible season finishes and the kind of out-of-the-blue moves that turn an OK season into a Cinderella story. Whether you’re a fan of soccer, basketball, rugby or track and field, there’s plenty of opportunity for athletes to grasp their moment in the spotlight. Here’s everything to know about women’s sports this September.

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